Switch construction



Feb. 18, 1930. c; J CAYO I SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed May 9, 1929 @LQL/ Qareme J QQ Patented Feb. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES CLARENCE J.

CAYO, 011' DETROIT, MICHIGAN SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Application filed May 9, 1929. Serial No. 361,696.

My invention relates to switch construction and has particular reference to a switch of the split rail type and in which the switch rod passes through the webs of the rails and is joined to the switch point rails, with a shield adapted to cover substantially the entire length of the connecting rod so that it is protected from ice, snow and the like, and enable the switch to be operated regardless of the collection of such matter in and about the switch points. p

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a switch connecting rod which is spaced upward from the ground so that ice,

snow and the like will not form underneath the switch rod to such an extent that its operation is prevented.

In the ordinary switch construction the common practice has been to connect the 0 switch points by means of a bar which passes underneath the rails and is attached to the bases of the rails forming the switch points.

. In ordinary practice this means that the bar is either upon or very close to the ground, so 5 that with a slight collection of ice or snow on the ground the ice forms over the switch bar, making it impossible to operate the switch. The ballast or tamping around the ties also very frequently is expanded due to freezing, and bulges upward so that often this ballast or dirt, as the case may be, comes in I contact with the switch bar, and often the bar is frozen to the ground to operate the switch. Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a casing or shield which isplaced over the switch bar thereby protecting it from snow, ice, and other foreign matter which may lodge on top of the I switch rod and build up a mass of obstructing material around the switch rod and switch points to prevent their operation.

These and other objects of my invention 45 .will be more fully and better understood by reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in whichc Figure 1 is an elevational view more or less diagrammatic, illustrating my invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on lines 22 of Figure 1;

so that it is impossible Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on lines 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of the device shown in Figure 1.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a plurality of ties 10, 10 are shown, having the usual fish plates 11, 11 mounted thereon and secured to the ties by spikes in the usual manner. Arail 12 is shown forming a part of the main line, with a rail 13 at the opposite side bent in the usual manner and which forms one of the rails of a switch track and for a portion of its length forms a part of the main line. Mounted between the rails 12 and 13 is a pair of split rails 14 and 15, the rail 14 forming a part of the switch track, whereas the rail 15 forms a part of the main line track. A connecting bar 16 joins these two rails together intermediate their ends, this construction being the usual one in connection with 7 railway track and switch construction.

. A pair of transversely extending ties 17 and 18 are provided, longer than the usual cross ties 10, which have the usual switch stand 19 mounted on the outer ends thereof. 7

The switch stand has an operating lever 20 connected thereto and a bell crank member 21 to which is connected a'connecting link 22 and which in turn is connected to the switch rod 23 by means of a pin 24. The rod 23 extends through the webs of the rails 13 and 15 and across to the millet and passes through the web of this rail 14 and is secured to the rail 14 inany approved manner, as by weldingor by having a member 24 welded to the bar 23, andin turn welded to the side of the rail 14. The bar 23 passes through an opening 25 in theweb of the rail 13 which opening is slightly larger than the diameter of the crossbar 23, so that a slight amount of play is allowed between the bar and the rail 13.

Secured to the switch'tie 17 by means of screw spikes 26, 26, is a shield member 27 which extends upward and is curved over the outer end of thebar 23 and substantially over the connecting link 22 to a point immediately above the center of the bar 23, with a cooperating shield member 28 being secured to the switch tie 18, which curves over this bar from the opposite direction. The tops of the members 27 and 28 are spaced slightly apart from each other to allow for the insertion of a rod or the like to clean out foreign matter which may lodge on top of the switch bar 23. Two other shield members28 and 28 are provided between the switch points 14: and 15, of sufficient length to cover substantially all of the switch bar 23 between the switch points with the exception of the portion of the bar immediately adjacent therails 14 and 1 5, so that a suflicient distance is allowed at these points to allow for the movement of therails 14 and 15 for the opening and closing of the switch. These shield members also protect the switch rod from becoming bent, thereby binding in the rails. a

These shields extend substantially over the top of the bar 23 and protect it from snow and ice which may form over the bar, which snow and ice prevent the switch points 14: and 15 from being moved when it is desired to open or close the switch. It will also be noted that the bar 23 'passingthrough the webs of the rails is spaced upward a sufiicient distance r'rom the ground so that normally it remains clear of the ground, thereby allowing the switch bar to be moved during cold and freezing weather, so that the operator is enabled to open and close the switch readily without having to disengage the switch bar from the ground or from ice and snow which may have formed around it.

While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

I claim: I 1. Switch construction comprising in combination, a pair of spacedstatio'nary 'r'ails, a

we pair of movable switch pointsplafced in pair spaced relation with eachother between the stationary rails, h connected to the movable switch points, and a shield mounted between said movable switch points over said'switch bar, the said switch bar passing through the webs'of' one of said stationary rails and one of said movable rails and being secured to the web portion of the other movable rail. Y 1' 2. Switch construction comprising in combination, a pair of spaced stationary rails, a

spaced relation with each other'between the stationary rails, switch stand, a switch bar connected to the movable switch points, and a shield mounted between said movable switch points over said switch bar, comprising a pair of members in spaced relation with each other and having an opening therebes tween, the said switch bar passing through the webs of one of said stationary rails and switch stand, a switch bar, 7

of movable switch points placed in.

one of said movable rails and to theweb portion of the other movable rail being secured Signed at Detroit, Michigan, this 26th day of October, 1928.

'- CLARENCE J. CAYO. 

